MPs from the ruling Labour party (PvdA) and right-wing VVD both say there are positive signs in the leaked key economic figures.

Labour’s finance spokesman Henk Nijboer says the economy is beginning to emerge from the dip and the reduction in spending power is not as great as it was.

‘Unemployment is rising less quickly but remains a worry,’ Nijboer said. He expects ministers to announce new investment plans on Tuesday during the budget.

VVD MP Mark Harbers said it is ‘good to see the economic prospects are improving and the cabinet’s measures are beginning to bear fruit’. He, too, pointed out that spending power has not declined as sharply as in recent years.